Ask HN: What do you use for Engineering Management

#1

Post by vs2370 » Fri, Jan 15, 2021, 6:40 PM UTC

Hi EMs, There are thousands of resources to become a better IC Engineer in any programming language. As a engineering leader, I am curious what tools and resource have you found useful for better managing engineering teams/org.

Re: Ask HN: What do you use for Engineering Management

#2

Post by jschveibinz » Fri, Jan 15, 2021, 9:29 PM UTC

From an old engineering manager: engineering management is less about tools and more about relationships and matching people up with their skills. A spreadsheet works just fine for this. Keep group meetings short and to the point. Spend time working with project/product managers to decide on tools, training and R&D initiatives to maximize productivity, utility, profits and new business opportunities. They know what's not working. Good luck with your journey.

Re: Ask HN: What do you use for Engineering Management

#3

Post by sedocmiv » Sat, Jan 16, 2021, 8:40 AM UTC

I was trying to understand what good engineering managers look like IRL and I found that "Managing Humans" (3rd edition) by Michael Lopp addressed that and made me laugh along the way. :)

Re: Ask HN: What do you use for Engineering Management

#4

Post by jschveibinz » Sat, Jan 16, 2021, 9:17 PM UTC

jschveibinz wrote: post #2

From an old engineering manager: engineering management is less about tools and more about relationships and matching people up with their skills. A spreadsheet works just fine for this. Keep group meetings short and to the point. Spend time working with project/product managers to decide on tools, training and R&D initiatives to maximize productivity, utility, profits and new business opportunities. They know what's…

Also relevant: https://mikeborozdin.com/post/being-effective-tech-lead/